“Properly vaccinating dogs is our first line of defense when it comes to preventing the spread of communicable diseases,” says Stephanie Beiser, Canine Program Coordinator at the Humane Society of Bay County. “It is especially important in puppies and senior dogs who are most susceptible to illness.”
The Humane Society frequently receives calls from those who need to surrender their beloved dog or who have taken in stray dogs but are unable to keep them. Because there is not a No Kill Shelter in Bay County, these dogs are taken to Bay County Animal Control where there’s a possibility of euthanasia due to space and time limitations.
That is why it is essential for the Humane Society to have funds available for vaccinations so that they can move these dogs to foster homes until a permanent home is found. Their dog foster program began in 2015 and is a vital step needed to create this No Kill Shelter.
“The Humane Society of Bay County is dedicated and determined to one day open a No Kill Shelter for adoptable, treatable animals in Bay County,” says Jeannie Wolicki-Nichols, president at the Humane Society.
In the meantime, they have a goal to get as many of these dogs into the foster program as possible so they can be adopted into the community. One such example is Liam, a brindle boxer puppy, who came from animal control. Now that he has his vaccinations, he is being adopted to a loving family.
In the Spring 2017 grant cycle, the Animal Welfare Endowment Fund granted $821 to provide as many vaccinations as possible for dogs like Liam.
